Epipaschia is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Epipaschiinae. The genus was established by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1860. It contains at least three described species: Epipaschia mesoleucalis, Epipaschia ochrotalis, and the type species Epipaschia superatalis. The caterpillars of Epipaschia superatalis, known as the Dimorphic Macalla Moth, serve as prey for the mason wasp Monobia quadridens.
snout moths
Epipaschiinae is a subfamily of Pyralidae (snout moths) containing over 720 described species. The group is predominantly tropical and subtropical in distribution, with notable absence from Europe as native fauna. Adult males exhibit distinctive morphological traits including an upturned third segment of the labial palpi, a ventrally curved phallobase extending beyond the ductus ejaculatorius, weakly sclerotized tegumen, and often a conspicuous scaled projection from the scape of the antennae. Larvae are leaf rollers, leaf tiers, and leaf miners; some species are minor crop pests on avocado, mahogany, and corn.
Episcepsis is a genus of tiger moths within the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae. The genus was established by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1877. Species in this genus are part of the diverse tiger moth radiation in the Neotropical region.
Episimus transferrana is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, described by Francis Walker in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Olethreutinae, a group known for including many internal-feeding larvae. The species has been recorded from the Galápagos Islands and the Brazilian state of Amazonas (BR-AM). Records remain sparse, with limited biological data available.
erebine moths
Erebinae is a large subfamily of moths in the family Erebidae, comprising approximately 10,000 species distributed across all continents except Antarctica, with highest diversity in tropical regions. The subfamily includes well-known groups such as underwing moths (Catocala) and witch moths (Thermesiini). Members range from medium-sized to exceptionally large, with the white witch moth (Thysania agrippina) holding the record for widest wingspan among all Lepidoptera. The subfamily was reinstated and redefined based on molecular phylogenetic studies, with several morphological synapomorphies now recognized.
Eremberga is a genus of snout moths described by Carl Heinrich in 1939. Its taxonomic status is disputed: some sources treat it as a valid genus within Phycitinae, while others synonymize it with Zophodia. The genus contains three described species: E. creabates, E. insignis, and E. leuconips.
Eryciini is a tribe of tachinid flies comprising approximately 128 genera. The tribe serves as a repository for exoristine taxa that cannot be placed into other tribes, resulting in a polyphyletic assemblage. Members are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented associations to caterpillars in families Crambidae, Notodontidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae, and Tortricidae. A new genus, Santarosamyia, was described in 2024 from Costa Rica based on specimens reared from wild-caught caterpillars.
Duskywings and Allies
The Erynnini are a tribe of skipper butterflies in the subfamily Pyrginae, characterized by their relatively plesiomorphic morphology and generally inconspicuous appearance. The group is moderately diverse, with most species restricted to the Neotropics; notable exceptions are the Holarctic species of the type genus Erynnis (duskywings). The tribe was historically merged into a broadly defined Pyrgini but is now recognized as distinct following phylogenetic reorganization of the Pyrginae.
duskywings, duskywing skippers
Erynnis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as duskywings. The genus exhibits high species diversity in the Nearctic region, with species also present across the Palearctic and Neotropical ecozones. Duskywings are medium-sized, fast-flying butterflies with dark, often brown or blackish wings that typically lack bright coloration. Many species are difficult to distinguish from one another and require examination of wing pattern details or genitalia for reliable identification.
Scudder's Duskywing
Erynnis scudderi is a skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, known commonly as Scudder's Duskywing. It belongs to the diverse and taxonomically challenging genus Erynnis, whose species are often difficult to distinguish from one another. The species is recognized as valid and accepted in major taxonomic databases. Like other duskywings, it is likely associated with specific host plants in the caterpillar stage, though detailed life history information for this particular species appears limited in available sources.
Rocky Mountain duskywing
Erynnis telemachus, the Rocky Mountain duskywing, is a spread-wing skipper in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America.
Eteobalea sexnotella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, native to North America. Adults are active from January and March through September, with a wingspan of approximately 17 mm. The species is notable for its larval association with two Trichostema plant species, where larvae develop within stem galls.
Wyatt's Cosmet Moth, Wyatt's Stagmatophora Moth
Eteobalea wyattella is a small moth in the family Cosmopterigidae, originally described as Stagmatophora wyattella by Barnes and Busck in 1920. The species has been recorded from scattered localities across the eastern and central United States. It belongs to a genus of moths whose larvae are often associated with plant stems or seeds. The species remains poorly known in terms of its biology and immature stages.
Ethmia is a large genus of small gelechioid moths comprising over 250 described species globally. The genus serves as the type genus for family Ethmiidae (sometimes treated as subfamily within Elachistidae or Oecophoridae). Species are characterized by distinctive black, white, and gray patterned forewings, and most larvae feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family, with Gesneriaceae recorded as an additional host family in the Neotropics. The genus exhibits greatest diversity in arid and semi-arid regions, with substantial radiations in southwestern North America and the Neotropics.
Ethmia arctostaphylella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly Depressariidae), distributed across the western United States and Mexico. Adults have forewings measuring 8.4–11.7 mm, with a distinctive color pattern of dark gray on the costal half and whitish gray on the dorsal half, separated by a longitudinal line and marked with black spots. The species exhibits an extended flight period from February to October. Larvae are specialized feeders on Eriodictyon species (yerba santa), a relationship that shapes its geographic distribution.
Ethmia bipunctella is a diurnal moth in the family Depressariidae, originally described by Fabricius in 1775. The species has a broad geographic distribution spanning Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, Asia, and northeastern North America. It is bivoltine, producing two generations per year with adult flight activity from May through September. The species was formerly considered to include E. iranella as a subspecies, but this taxon is now recognized as distinct.
Ethmia burnsella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae), described by Powell in 1973. It is known only from northern Texas in the United States. The species is characterized by distinctive wing coloration with pale ocherous forewings featuring contrasting dark markings. Like other members of the genus Ethmia, it likely has larvae that feed on plants in the Boraginaceae family or related families, though specific host records for this species are not documented.
Ladder-backed Ethmia Moth
Ethmia delliella, commonly known as the ladder-backed ethmia moth, is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (sometimes placed in Depressariidae). Adults have a forewing length of 9–12 mm with distinctive black-and-white patterning that reflects metallic steel blue. The species ranges from the Gulf region of Texas and Mexico southward through Central America to Costa Rica. Adults are active from March to October in Texas and April to August elsewhere, with multiple generations per year.
Ethmia epileuca is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is restricted to the southwestern United States, occurring in southern California and Tucson, Arizona. Adults are active in late winter and early spring, with flight period from February through April. The species exhibits distinctive wing patterning with a straight longitudinal line dividing brown or gray-brown upper and white lower forewing areas.
Ethmia lassenella is a small moth species in the family Ethmiidae, found in the western United States. Adults are active in early spring, with a distinctive appearance featuring steel gray forewings marked with bright red-orange and black spots, and white hindwings with a broad black marginal band. The species is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico, most of which are concentrated in the southwestern United States.
Ethmia nadia is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae). It is endemic to California, where adults are active in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on Phacelia ramosissima, a plant in the Boraginaceae family.
Ethmia nivosella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications), distributed across the West Indies from Jamaica and eastern Cuba to the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, with possible occurrence in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad. The species exhibits distinctive metallic purplish-bronze coloration on the forewings against a whitish hindwing ground color. Adults are active during multiple periods throughout the year, with flight records from January to March, July, and October depending on location.
Ethmia semiombra is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (Depressariidae in some classifications) found in Texas and Mexico. Adults exhibit a distinctive wing pattern with dark coloration on the costal half of the forewings contrasting with whitish, gray-tinged dorsal half. The species shows pronounced seasonality with adults active in February, May, June, September (Texas), and July (Tamaulipas), suggesting multiple generations per year. Two subspecies are recognized: E. s. semiombra in eastern Mexico and southern Texas, and E. s. nebulombra in the Yucatán.
Ethmia semitenebrella is a moth in the family Depressariidae, first described by Dyar in 1902. It is distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, with a bivoltine flight period from April to August. The species is characterized by distinct wing patterning with dark gray forewing costal halves contrasting with whitish gray dorsal halves. Larvae feed on Cercocarpus ledifolius and likely other Cercocarpus species.
Zeller's Ethmia Moth
Ethmia zelleriella is a small moth in the family Ethmiidae (formerly placed in Depressariidae or Coleophoridae) found in eastern North America. Adults are active primarily in spring and early summer, with evidence of a second generation in some regions. The species is associated with oak woodlands and foothill habitats, where larvae feed on Phacelia species (Boraginaceae). The moth has distinctive black-and-white patterned forewings and is one of approximately 50 Ethmia species occurring north of Mexico.
Euamiana n-sp is an undescribed moth species within the genus Euamiana. The genus belongs to the order Lepidoptera, though the family placement remains unresolved in available sources. This record represents a provisional designation for a species awaiting formal description.
Euamiana contrasta is a noctuid moth species described in 1910 by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough. Originally described under the genus Perigea, it was later transferred to Euamiana. The species is recorded from North America and is assigned MONA/Hodges number 9807. Like other members of the subfamily Noctuinae, it is a nocturnal moth with adults active during warmer months.
everlasting bud moth
Eublemma minima, the everlasting bud moth, is a small moth species in the family Erebidae, first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The species has an unusually broad geographic distribution spanning Africa (Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Yemen) and the Americas (United States, Brazil, Argentina, Caribbean, Paraguay), suggesting either natural dispersal capabilities or human-mediated introduction to the Western Hemisphere. The specific epithet 'minima' refers to its small size relative to congeners.
Eucaterva variaria is a geometrid moth species described by Grote in 1882. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species feeds on desert willow (Chilopsis linearis). It serves as a host for the parasitoid wasp Pimpla sanguinipes (Coccygomimus sanguinipes).
Eucelatoria is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) comprising approximately 70 species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere from southern Canada to northern Argentina. The genus is characterized by distinctive reproductive morphology in females of certain species groups, notably the sword-like piercer found in the E. ferox species group. Species within this genus are parasitoids of Lepidoptera larvae, with documented host associations including Noctuidae (Helicoverpa zea, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis armigera) and Crambidae caterpillars. Several species, particularly E. bryani, have been extensively studied for their potential as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Euceratia castella is a species of moth in the family Ypsolophidae, described by Walsingham in 1881. It is one of few species in the small genus Euceratia, which belongs to a family of small to medium-sized moths commonly known as ypsolophid moths. The family Ypsolophidae is characterized by distinctive wing venation and often striking resting postures. Species in this genus are found in North America, with E. castella occurring in the western United States and adjacent regions.
tussock moths, milkweed tussock moths, milkweed tiger moths
Euchaetes is a genus of arctiine tussock moths in the family Erebidae, described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841. The genus includes species commonly known as milkweed tussock moths or milkweed tiger moths, many of which are specialized feeders on milkweed plants (Asclepiadaceae). Caterpillars of well-known species such as E. egle sequester cardiac glycosides from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. Adults of some species have evolved ultrasonic acoustic defenses against bat predation, representing a notable example of acoustic aposematism.
Euchaetes perlevis is a small moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1882. It is known from the southwestern United States. The species has a wingspan of approximately 23 mm. Very little is documented about its biology beyond basic taxonomic and distributional records.
Deep Yellow Euchlaena Moth
Euchlaena deplanaria is a species of geometrid moth native to eastern and central North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 34 mm and are active from February through October, indicating a broad flight season. The species is attracted to artificial light sources and has been documented in diverse habitats from deciduous forests to mixed conifer woodlands. It belongs to the genus Euchlaena, which includes several similarly patterned species that can be challenging to distinguish without close examination.
Deep Yellow Euchlaena Moth
Euchlaena pectinaria is a North American geometer moth in the family Geometridae, commonly known as the Deep Yellow Euchlaena Moth. It is attracted to artificial light sources and has been documented in deciduous forest habitats. The species was originally described in 1775 and is currently accepted under this name.
Euclea Slug Moths
Euclea is a genus of slug caterpillar moths in the family Limacodidae, containing at least 40 described species. The genus was established by Hübner in 1822. Larvae are known for their distinctive flattened, slug-like form and possess venomous spines that can deliver painful stings. The genus is well-represented in North America with species such as Euclea delphinii (spiny oak slug moth) and Euclea incisa (green oak-slug moth).
Euclea obliqua is a species of slug moth in the family Limacodidae, described by Henry Edwards in 1886. Like other members of this family, its larvae possess venomous spines that can deliver painful stings to humans. The species is part of a genus containing several spiny, slug-like caterpillars that feed on oak and other hardwood foliage.
Eucoloneura fragilis is a small bagworm moth species in the family Psychidae, described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1916. The species belongs to the subfamily Oiketicinae, which includes case-making moths whose larvae construct portable protective cases from silk and plant material. Very few observations of this species have been recorded, with only six documented occurrences in citizen science databases. The specific epithet 'fragilis' suggests delicate or fragile characteristics, though the precise basis for this name is not documented in available sources.
Eucoptocnemis is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Noctuinae. The genus was established by Grote in 1874 and contains at least six recognized species distributed in North America. Species within this genus are part of the diverse noctuid moth fauna, with some species historically classified under related genera such as Agrotis.
Eucosma browni is a species of tortricid moth described by Wright in 2010. It belongs to the genus Eucosma, a diverse group of small moths commonly known as phaneta moths or eucosma moths. The species is classified within the subfamily Olethreutinae and tribe Eucosmini. As a recently described species, detailed biological information remains limited.
Eucosma glomerana is a small tortricid moth described by Walsingham in 1879. It belongs to the tribe Eucosmini within the subfamily Olethreutinae. Records indicate a restricted distribution in the Canadian prairie provinces.
Pale-headed Eucosma Moth
Eucosma ochrocephala is a species of tortricid moth in the family Tortricidae, subfamily Olethreutinae. The species was first described by Walsingham in 1895 under the basionym Semasia ochrocephala. It is part of the diverse genus Eucosma, which contains numerous small moth species, many of which are associated with Asteraceae host plants. The species is recognized in major taxonomic databases including Catalogue of Life, GBIF, and NCBI Taxonomy.
Eudarcia undescribed-meessiidae-two is an undescribed species within the genus Eudarcia, a group of small moths in the subfamily Meessiinae. The species designation indicates it belongs to a lineage related to the family Meessiidae (now treated as Meessiinae within Tineidae), though formal taxonomic description has not been completed. Members of Eudarcia are generally associated with detritus and decaying organic matter. This particular taxon represents documented material awaiting formal scientific description.
Eudonia spenceri is a small crambid moth described by Eugene G. Munroe in 1972. The species is distributed across western North America from California and Arizona northward to Montana and British Columbia. Adults have a forewing length of 8–9 mm and are active from April through September. The species belongs to the subfamily Scopariinae, a group of small moths often associated with moist or riparian habitats.
Eudulini is a tribe of geometer moths within the subfamily Larentiinae. The tribe contains at least three genera: Eubaphe, Eudule, and Eudulophasia. These moths are part of a diverse group of Larentiinae, which are predominantly found in temperate and tropical regions. The tribe has been documented through thousands of observations, indicating substantial field presence.
Eueides is a genus of longwing butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Heliconiinae. The genus comprises approximately 12 recognized species distributed primarily in the Neotropics. Eueides species are closely related to Heliconius and share the characteristic elongated wings and bright coloration typical of heliconiine butterflies. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision and phylogenetic study, particularly in relation to the evolutionary development of the Heliconius-Eueides clade.
Red-tailed Specter Moth, red-tailed specter
Euerythra phasma, commonly known as the red-tailed specter moth, is a species in the family Erebidae (subfamily Arctiinae). First described by Leon F. Harvey in 1876, this moth is endemic to the south-central United States. The species is represented by over 1,100 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented by citizen scientists.
Eugnosta willettana is a tortricid moth described by Comstock in 1939. The species is known from a limited geographic range in southwestern North America, with records from southern California, southern Arizona, and Mexico. Adults are active during winter months, with flight records from January to February. The wingspan measures 24–27 mm.
Eulithosia composita is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1884. It belongs to the subfamily Stiriinae and tribe Stiriini. The species is known from limited records in the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and western Texas. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and life history remains sparse.
Eumarozia is a genus of tortricid moths in the subfamily Olethreutinae, established by Heinrich in 1926. The genus contains at least three described species: E. beckeri, E. elaeanthes, and E. malachitana. These moths are small to medium-sized with the characteristic bell-shaped wing posture typical of the family Tortricidae. The genus has been recorded in North America, with distribution records from the United States including Vermont.